Release Detail

January 18, 2007 - New York City Voters Oppose Congestion Pricing 2-1,
Quinnipiac University Poll Finds;
Voters Oppose East River Bridge Tolls More Than 4-1

By a 62 - 31 percent margin, New York City voters oppose congestion pricing, where
vehicles are charged a fee to drive into Manhattan below 60th Street during rush hour,
according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Traffic congestion in New York City is a "very serious" problem, 55 percent of New
York City voters tell the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll, and 34
percent say it is "somewhat serious."

Only 24 percent of these voters say they usually travel into and out of Manhattan by
car, while 67 percent say they use mass transit. Car vs. mass transit use ranges from 18 - 73
percent among Bronx voters to 32 - 56 percent among Staten Island voters.

Voters disagree 49 - 42 percent with the argument that congestion pricing would help
the city's economy because traffic wastes billions of dollars a year in wasted time. They split
47 - 47 percent on the argument that congestion pricing is bad for the economy because fewer
people will visit Manhattan restaurants and other businesses.

Voters agree by a narrow 48 - 45 percent margin that congestion pricing would
improve mass transit because increased demand would lead to increased service.

"Proponents are going to have a hard sell on congestion pricing. But if Mayor
Bloomberg weighs in with his 75 - 16 percent approval rating, he does have political capital
to spend on tough causes," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling
Institute.

"New Yorkers think congestion pricing would hurt - not help - the city's economy. For
good measure, they split over the probable effect on subways and buses," Carroll added.

By a 57 - 37 percent margin, New York City voters say congestion pricing would
unfairly tax people who live outside Manhattan. Manhattan voters disagree with this argument
55 - 36 percent. Feelings in the other boroughs range from 72 - 23 percent in The Bronx to 55
- 43 percent in Staten Island.

"Manhattan against the other boroughs is a familiar New York theme. On this issue,
most think the other four would be taxed unfairly," Carroll said.

Looking at which types of vehicles should be exempt from congestion pricing, New
Yorkers say:

53 - 42 percent that cabs should be exempt;

62 - 32 percent that personal vehicles should pay;

70 - 26 percent that limousines should pay;

49 - 45 percent that delivery trucks should be exempt.

Placing tolls on the free East River bridges is a bad idea, New York City voters say 78 -
17 percent. Even Manhattan voters oppose the idea 68 - 22 percent.

"New Yorkers see the free bridges as city streets and don't want to place a price tag on
the right to drive," Carroll said.

From January 9 - 15, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,013 New York City registered
voters, with a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and
nationwide as a public service and for research.
For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu and click on Institutes and Centers, or (203) 582-5201

25. How do you usually travel into and out of Manhattan, by car or mass transit?

27. How much have you heard or read about congestion pricing, a plan adopted by
some major cities to reduce traffic by charging a fee to drive into congested
areas? A lot, some, not much, or nothing at all?

28. Some have suggested using congestion pricing to help relieve traffic in
Manhattan during rush hours. In general do you support or oppose charging vehicle
owners a fee to drive below 60th street in Manhattan during rush hours?